News

July red meat, poultry production down on year

U.S. red meat production declined during July 2016. Slaughter rates and average live weights for cattle, calves, hogs, and sheep were all below year ago levels, including a record monthly low for veal. The total for red meat was 3.866 billion pounds, down 4% from July 2015. Beef production was 1% lower at 2.024 billion pounds, with the kill down 1% at 2.475 million head and the average live weight one pound lighter at 1,345. Pork dropped 8% to 1.8825 billion pounds, with the slaughter 7% lower at 8.762 million head and the average live weight down two pounds at 278 pounds. Because of higher slaughter rates and heavier weights earlier in the year, 2016’s production pace, at 28.293 billion pounds, is still 2% ahead of 2015.

For poultry, production in July was 3.770 billion pounds, 5% below a year ago. The preliminary live weight total was 4.982 billion pounds, also down 5%. Average live weights for most categories of poultry were unchanged to slightly heavier, but chicken slaughter rates declined. For all types, the kill was 7% lower at 717.879 million head, including a 19% drop in heavyweight mature chickens. The turkey kill was up 2% on the year at 19.727 million head.